Parishoner takes on Ironman to raise funds for church

HOMER GLEN, Ill. — When Adam Lewickas of Annunciation Parish in Homer Glen, Illinois, runs his first Ironman race in September, he will be doing it with the weight of a dome resting on his shoulders.

The central and largest dome that crowns Annunciation church is in need of repair and Lewickas is using his Ironman race as a way to fundraise money for the dome repair project.

“I have always been drawn to the Ironman competition,” said Lewickas. “I always wondered how a triathlete pushed himself through an Ironman distance and what the type of training would be.”

A homily by the pastor, Father Thomas J. Loya, about the dome repair project inspired Lewickas to act.

“After the liturgy was over, I felt inspired to help serve God and I thought of ways I could help,” he said. “The idea popped into my head to use the Ironman as the vehicle we needed at Annunciation for the dome.”

Training for the Ironman has taken Lewickas’ already rigorous workout regime to another level.

“I learned that when training for an Ironman, duration is more important than logging miles,” he said.

The course Lewickas will run Sept. 9, in Madison, Wisconsin, is a hilly course and he trains by biking and running on inclines whenever he can.

The 33-year-old from Crest Hill, Illinois, wakes up early on Sundays, so he can train before attending Divine Liturgy with his wife, Stephanie, a lifelong member of Annunciation.

Prayer is also an important part of Lewickas’ training.

“Using prayer allows me to push through some of my doubts and my more rigorous training days by gaining spiritual strength,” Lewickas said.

The dome is just shy of 20 years old and is in need of what Father Loya referred to as “normal maintenance.”

“From time to time you spruce these things up,” said Father Loya. “We actually haven’t done it since we put the dome on. It’s not leaking, but it needs to be refurbished.”

Father Loya was excited when he found out Lewickas wanted to help support the dome repair project.

Lewickas’ efforts to date have not been in vain. In April, an anonymous donor came forward and offered to match all donations up to $20,000.

Plans to refurbish the dome include removing the dome from the top of the church for a short period of time while basic repairs are made and a moisture barrier is installed. Father Loya said he hopes work on the dome will begin in late May.

Lewickas frequently uses Philippians 4:13 for inspiration during training: “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.”

As of May 13, he raised half of his $30,000 goal, mostly from parishioners. Readers can donate online at: gf.me/u/ik98kr.

Caption: Annunciation parishioner Adam Lewickas poses with a lifesize billboard that promotes his efforts to raise $30,000 to refurbish the church dome by participating in the Ironman race in Madison, Wisconsin, Sept. 9. As of May 13, he raised half of his goal. The Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile run, raced in that order and without a break. The pastor, Father Thomas J. Loya, an artist by training, created the billboard. (Photo: Katherine Gulas)